THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, September 20, 1996 TAG: 9609190151
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON PAGE: 06 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letter
LENGTH: 100 lines
The Aug. 11 article in The Virginian-Pilot on the proposed golf course community, Coastal Green, got me very excited but at the same time, very disappointed.
The excitement came from knowing there is someone out there who is genuinely concerned about our aging parents and their lack of options once they reach a certain age. This is a concern that has to reach every citizen, regardless of where you live. The fact is we either have a parent, grandparent or a loved one close by who experiences the unpleasant decision-making process when it comes to caring for an elder who cannot care for themselves. It sounds like Coastal Green will be a place to go when you're 55 or older and be active at all different levels. Reaching the age that requires help from others and at the same time, not being forced to leave home or your friends, is a luxury that is needed in this area.
My disappointment comes from the political side of this spectrum. Instead of spending time criticizing the location of this proposed community, why not figure out how to make it work? Perhaps it would make sense to maintain the ``No-growth'' position if it was your ``typical'' development. However, this does not sound like your typical development. As a matter of fact, I called Dick Foster and requested a copy of the plan. It seems to accommodate everyone's needs from preserving the natural wetlands to providing a signature golf course and including residential housing along with assisted care living.
I don't know much about the Agricultural Reserve Program; however, I know our taxes were increased to generate an $82 million fund. It seems like it would make more sense to apply these funds to support the efforts of a growing population which so desperately needs alternative options in living arrangements. What about the benefits of having an adult community where there are no school children taxing our already overcrowded system? The active adult community will do the opposite and generate revenues for our city and perhaps take more of the burden off the taxpayers!
We need to wake up and recognize that the city needs to make something happen to attract tourists and retirees. We have a golden opportunity given the natural amenities surrounding Virginia Beach. Let's do something about it and be proactive.
Cheryl Smith
Aug. 19
The issue of a retirement community in Virginia Beach below the Green Line as discussed in a recent article saddens and amazes me.
I am one of the city's residents who will be older than 55 by the year 2000. It is my understanding that approximately 25 percent of the Hampton Roads population will join me in that prestigious group of senior citizens. The immediate action to approve or disapprove Dick Foster's Coastal Green retirement community will impact me, my siblings (four in the area) and my children for the next two decades.
My father and brother made Virginia Beach their permanent residence in 1972 after my mom died. As a career Navy family, home is where the folks are. So it was a natural for me and two other siblings to migrate to Virginia Beach. My father, who is now 77, lives in his own home off Great Neck. He will never reap the benefits of the Coastal Green retirement community.
The City Council now has the opportunity to show some productive initiative for the looming generations of aging Virginians.
As I understand it, that particular tract of land already has city approval for city sewerage. That 900-plus acres of land is included in the Green Line area more by political fluke than by initial designs and proposals. None of that land - not one acre - is being used for agricultural purposes.
The Dick Foster proposal includes: street development at his expense (not taxpayer money); age requirement of 55 or older to live in this community (no additional elementary, middle or secondary schools required); preserving 400 or more acres of wetlands to enhance the total serenity and natural quality of life; provide approximately 33 acres for assisted living facilities for people just like my dad; lace the community with walking trails and cart paths so senior citizens do not have to drive automobiles to enjoy nature, run errands, visit friends; build a community center with shops for every day needs - convenience store, barber shop/beauty shop, drugstore, etc.
I am amazed that the City Council members would have any reservation about exempting this tract of land from the Green Line building restrictions. I can't believe that they would let this opportunity slip away from all of us by some short-sighted political trade-offs or by the combined inability to collectively make a timely decision. As an aging citizen of Virginia Beach, a golfer and a concerned voter, I encourage the council to endorse this development in its entirety at its earliest opportunity. Healthy people are retiring every year to communities just like this one . . . in other states.
Jan Nugent Kasperbauer
Aug. 19
Having taken care of my mother for the last 11 years of her life and having seen the quality of her life deteriorate, it was with great interest that I read the Aug. 11 article about the planned retirement community called Coastal Green.
As is always the case, and probably unavoidable, many mistakes have been made by previous councils and planners in Virginia Beach. Many of those planners and councils made honest mistakes based on the information they had available, but many mistakes were also made because those same planners and councils lacked the strength of character to make the hard decision.
In the case of Coastal Green, we have a project that will enhance the stature of Virginia Beach as well as the quality of life of the young and not so young.
Charles A. Little
Aug. 19 by CNB